Obituary

Patsy Ruth Stidham Adkins
(May 23, 1929 - October 7, 2014)

Patsy Ruth Stidham Adkins, was born May 23, 1929 in Ethel, WV the oldest daughter of Jerry E. and Mary Sommerville Stidham. She departed this life on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the Huntington Health and Rehab facility. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, Rev. Caudle Adkins, Jr., a sister, Hester Lucinda Stidham, and brothers, Charles “Buddy” Stidham and Jerry Robert Stidham. A celebration of Patsy’s life will be held at Chapman’s Mortuary on Sunday, October 12th at 2:30 PM. She will be eulogized by her three sons, and the message will be delivered by her oldest grandson, Pastor Jay Adkins of New Orleans, LA. Pall bearers will be her grandsons, Jay, Benjamin, Joshua and Caleb Adkins, and great grandsons, Quint and Will Adkins. Patsy was a 1947 graduate of Logan, WV High School and immediately went to work in the payroll department of Island Creek Coal Company upon graduation. After moving to Huntington she was a stay at home mother for the years she was raising her three sons. In the 70’s she re-entered the work place working as an office manager for Dr. W. Beckett Martin. Later she worked for Hoffman Urological Clinic, and finally for Niermann’s Drug Store. Patsy became a Christian as a young girl in Logan County, and was a devout follower of Jesus Christ for more than 70 years. She worked alongside her husband, supporting him in his evangelistic and pastoral ministries, often serving as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, and was a wonderful role model and mentor to many girls and young ladies over the years. She was a charter member of Central Free Will Baptist Church, and in later years often attended Westmoreland Baptist Church and First Altizer Free Will Baptist Church. Patsy is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. C.J. Adkins (Linda) of Ashland, KY, Bruce Adkins (Sandra) of Huntington, and Carl Adkins (Sarah) of Atlanta, GA; six grandchildren and their spouses, Jay (Michelle) Adkins, Benji (Leigh Anne) Adkins, Joshua Adkins, Caleb Adkins, Kate Adkins and Alex Adkins; two step grandchildren, Merle (Erica) Wooten and Lee (James) Dalton; five great grandchildren, Quint, Will, Canon, Asher, and Nathan Adkins; and six step great grandchildren, Amber, Katie, and Austin Wooten, and Wesley, Ethan and Olivia Dalton. She is also survived by one sister and her husband, Dori (Vern) Wilson of Houston, TX, a number of nieces and nephews, a special friend, Alice Davis, and a host of brothers and sisters in Christ. Patsy was loved and respected and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. “…Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm Sunday, October 12, 2014, at Chapman’s Mortuary, Huntington.